To: Clergy, Lay Leaders and Convention Delegates:

As of 7/9/20, there are 155 days until Diocesan Convention 2020.

The theme: Servants of the Spirit.

Diocesan Convention will be our first entirely virtual convention. Though many of the details are yet to be worked out, it is anticipated that Friday, Nov. 13, will consist of workshops and Saturday, Nov. 14, will be the official business of convention. Voting will be conducted via smartphone.

We are planning to have a virtual exhibit hall, complimentary to our loyal exhibitors.

As this is all new, we are asking the Deans and Deanery Representatives to Diocesan Council to provide input and suggestions about the structure of pre-convention deanery gatherings and the days of convention itself. We recognize that restrictions on the size of gatherings may change. Also, reliable internet and cell service will be essential. Would you recommend delegations meet at their respective churches? Perhaps in small clusters of congregations (within the public health guidelines)? Delegates: please share your thoughts with your Dean and/or deanery representatives, who can share the collective wisdom with the Secretary of Convention and the Convention Coordinator.

Details for registration are being developed. Timely submission of current information will be critical.

The portal for submitting parochial reports will close JULY 31, 2020. To date, 96 parochial reports have been filed (72 confirmed); 10 are in progress and 22 have not been started.  Churches need to file their report online and then submit a signed copy (scanned with electronic signatures is fine) to the Convention office. The Convention office has emailed churches individually with reminders. Reminders were also included in the Episcopal News Update. Submission of these reports are required and critical to the diocese and The Episcopal Church for planning program and budget. Completion is important!

Lay Delegates and Alternates, Clergy Delegates, and Nominations to elective offices can all be submitted online – all forms are at diocesanconvention.com.

Hope you are all staying safe and healthy in these challenging times.

Canon Dr. Steven Nishibayashi
Secretary of Convention
Schedule for Pre-Convention Deanery Meetings

Deanery 1
Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m.
Trinity Church, Santa Barbara

Deanery 2
Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m.
St. Martin’s Church, Winnetka

Deanery 3
Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m.
St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Los Angeles

Deanery 4
Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.
Iglesia de la Magdalena, Glendale

Deaneries 5 and 6
Sunday, October 11, 3 p.m.
Church of the Ascension, Sierra Madre

Deanery 7
Saturday, October 10, 10 a.m.
All Saints Church, Riverside

Deanery 8
Sunday, October 18, 3 p.m.
St. Francis' Church, Palos Verdes Estates

Deaneries 9 and 10
Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m.
Trinity Church, Orange
Convention website: www.diocesanconvention.com